40 companies are currently pitching to investors during the Fish 2.0 Innovation Forum at Stanford University, the culminating event in the Fish 2.0 2017 competition for sustainable seafood businesses.

This exceptionally strong group of finalists—winnowed from an initial pool of 184 entrants—stands out for its market traction, global character and high potential for impact on the seafood sector. About 50 percent of the finalists are post-revenue businesses, and more than half are based outside the U.S.

“This is the strongest group ever,” says Monica Jain, Fish 2.0 founder and executive director. “The level of innovation is potentially both system changing and very profitable. We’re seeing the rise of ‘seatech’—new monitoring, visibility, production and processing tools for the seafood industry—as well as other advances that remove barriers to growth and sustainability for fishers, farmers and buyers throughout the value chain.”

This is the strongest group ever,

Monica Jain, Fish 2.0 founder and executive director

She adds that 70 companies rose to the challenge in the semifinals, making for tight scoring in the end. “The companies that earned places as finalists are committed to growth and have products and market strategies that resonate with the varied group of investors who serve as online judges.”

At the Innovation Forum, the 24 highest scorers will give 3-minute pitches to panels of expert judges. They will present in four groups: ventures taking pressure off wild fisheries; aquaculture production and related technologies; transparency, traceability and fisheries technology; and supply chain innovations, including new paths to market for fishers. The winners will receive cash prizes.

The remaining 16 finalists will give 90-second pitches directly to the audience of 300 seafood experts and investors who come to Fish 2.0 to share knowledge and find opportunities. The audience will vote on the companies they most want to follow up with.